The Undiet Cabbage Soup

            I know, this is one of the best soups to make and eat when you are on a diet, but I have never liked the word DIET. My gosh, look at the first three letters of the word! So think of this as that super tasty soup that has a ton of flavor and minimal calories.

            But, in all fairness, I will extol on the benefits of the Cabbage Soup Diet. It really is not science! You eat this soup each day and drink lots of water, you will lose weight quickly. No, you are not losing any nutrients, you are probably gaining some healthy ones. You have also cut the starches, sugars and the calories to a bare minimum.

            Trust me, this is not one of those diet foods that you will get tired of eating, or bored with. You can flavor it up with herbs that you like. There is so much flavor in here that you will be shocked that it is even considered a diet food.

            This does work well for those quick start diets, you know, the ones where you eat only certain items for a week, and then go to regular food. You just have to maintain portions for the regular foods. With this soup, you are not lacking anything.

         This recipe has been around for ages. It is a classic and will always be a classic. Stuffed cabbage rolls are so hearty and filling, the perfect comfort food on cold winter days. The trick is to parboil the cabbage leaves to make them easier to roll. Then you stuff them with a meat and rice combination that is utterly amazing. The tangy tomato sauce makes a statement for itself, and the smoothness of the meat and rice together is unbelievable.

            I will warn you that even when you boil the cabbage leaves, there is a chance of at least one leaf tearing. You can still use it, just tuck it in together. One of the main helpful tips is to cut the core out and then cut the thick parts of the leaves off. When you place them in the pan before baking, place them seam side down. This will keep the roll from unrolling.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            What if I am craving something sweet?

I found that I can cheat a little on this plan. After all, when you hinder yourself from everything you desire, the cravings get stronger. I, for one, had a muffin each day. I love and live for muffins, so I allowed myself to have one each day. It was okay!

            Can I add other vegetables?

Adding some beans will give you some extra protein. Kidney beans, chickpeas or cannellini will add flavor and protein.

            Can I put meat into the soup?

You could add ground beef or even sausage to the soup. Cook the meat ahead of time and drain all the fat off before adding to the soup.

            How can I take the leaves off the head of cabbage?

The best way is to cook the head of cabbage first, then cut off the core part carefully. The thick part of the leaf will also need to be cut out carefully.

            How long do I bake cabbage rolls for?

I will check the temperature of the meat starting at one hour. The meat needs to reach 165* in order to eat it. It may take an hour or an hour and a half.

           

Tip:

            You can add basil, red pepper flakes, a little lemon, some rosemary or other herbs to give it more flavor. The soup is flavorful without added seasonings, however, everyone is different. This soup is not meant to deprive a person of flavor, like most diet foods do. If you like added flavors from herbs and spices, feel free to add them. You may even want to experiment with different herbs and spices.

What ingredients do you need for The Undiet Cabbage Soup

            2 quarts water

            4 tsp chicken bouillon

            3 tbsp olive oil

            ½ tsp black pepper

            1 tsp salt

            2 cloves garlic, chopped

            ½ onion chopped

            ½ head cabbage, core and chop into large pieces

            14 ½ ounces of Italian stewed tomatoes

            2 stalks celery sliced

            2 carrots sliced and cut in half

How to make The Undiet Cabbage Soup

FIRST STEP:

In a large pot, heat oil and add in onion and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent.

Add in the water, bouillon, salt and pepper, carrots and celery. 

Bring to a boil.

SECOND STEP:

Add in the chopped cabbage, simmer until the cabbage begins to soften

Add in the can of Italian stewed tomatoes with the juice.

THIRD STEP:

Return to a boil, turn down heat and let simmer for 15 to 30 minutes

Stir often

Enjoy!

YAY!